Take the best of two exam scores.
Which of two attempts counts depends entirely on the policy, and the three common variants produce very different incentives. A best-of policy makes retaking risk-free on the recorded mark, so there is no reason not to try again. Averaging means a poor first attempt is permanently baked in — under averaging, a 62 followed by a perfect 100 still records 81. A capped best-of is the most common compromise: the retake counts but cannot award above a ceiling, typically the pass threshold or a grade boundary, which limits how much a retake can recover. Knowing which applies before you sit the retake is what makes the decision rational.
Best of two
Awarded = max(first, second)
Average and capped variants
Average = (first + second) / 2; capped best = min(max(first, second), max(first, cap))
An illustrative calculation only. Retake, capping and averaging rules are set by your institution and vary between programmes, modules and academic years, and mitigating-circumstances provisions may apply. Confirm the actual policy in your course handbook or with your registry before making decisions about a retake.
Because under averaging a retake can lower your result. If you scored 62 and the average applies, a retake scoring 50 records 56 — worse than doing nothing. Under a best-of policy the same retake is harmless. The policy determines whether retaking has downside at all.
To keep the assessment fair against students who passed first time and had one attempt under exam conditions. Capping at the pass threshold lets a retake rescue a failure without letting repeated attempts outperform a single strong sitting.